STRENGTHS: Accumulation, tackling, line-breaking, endurance, footy IQ
IMPROVEMENTS: Size, scoreboard impact

SUMMARY: 2018 Footscray best and fairest winner, Will Hayes has been a steady improver in his time at the State League level, taking his game an extra yard in 2018 with his best season to date. The diminutive ball winner claimed votes in 17 of his 18 VFL games this year to highlight his consistent impact and earning a State Combine invite to cap his hard work off. As Footscray's leading disposal getter at 26 per game, Hayes is a terrific accumulator and thrives on breaking the lines with good agility and endurance to burn. Hayes combines his ball winning ability with hard tackling and spread from the contest, earning the ball in all areas and using his notable smarts to make good decisions. While he likes to break forward, Hayes could work on his scoreboard impact and building on his 78kg frame to become a complete midfielder over time, as he already has a good mix of inside and outside traits.